The Lies we Tell Ourselves
An inside look at what lies Snape, Harry, Draco, and Dumbledore tried to convince themselves of to survive the war emotionally intact if not horribly bruised. Each character is represented in their own chapter.
Dichotomy
Severe, just as his name suggested. That is what the world would see; that is all he would allow the world to see. Let them cringe as he stalks by, he long ago shielded his mind against such slight; the heart, that is another matter… This is who he is and he would not change, he would not show weakness. Weakness… that was a private matter, between him and a room warded as securely as his occlumency shields warded his mind.
The greasy git, undesirable, unworthy of anything but censure; that is how he prefers it, keep repeating that until it is true. If there is no one to care, they can't hurt him. He can't hurt them. This is the life he condemned himself to when he condemned his precious flower, his… no… he can't think about her. Her, or her wretched son whom he swore to protect. Put up the shields, put on a front, scare people away for 'the greater good'. Don't care for people, it hurts too much. Bury kindness deep, compassion won't, can't help. Keep the heart colder than a dementor's breath. So that when he stands before Voldemort he can say that he hates that green-eyed brat and that doddering old coot.
